By Colin Altevogt
Track & Field Coordinator

INDIANAPOLIS – Injured last season and left to watch from the sidelines during the Flashes Indy Showcase, six-time state champion Alex Banfich of Culver Academies made amends this time.

The Princeton-bound senior took the lead just after the first lap in the April 18 showcase mile at Franklin Central and held that to the tape to win in 5:02.3. Chelsea Blanchard of Carroll (Fort Wayne), last year’s champion, was second in 5:05.2, nearly an exact replica of her 5:05.3 that won a year ago.

While Banfich successfully employed a strategy of running away from the field, Blanchard used a well-timed kick to move past a handful of her competitors over the final lap. The Indiana University recruit moved up throughout the race after starting mid-pack.

Westfield freshman Waverly Neer challenged Banfich in the middle stages of the race and eventually placed third in 5:07.2. Neer and Banfich separated themselves from the field in the second lap and held a large margin over the chase pack until Blanchard was able to catch Neer in the last 150 meters.

Banfich is the defending state champion in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Blanchard held the state’s best time in the 1600 last season but scratched out before the state finals. She finished second in the 3200.

Your individual results:

1. Alex Banfich, Culver Academies 5:02.3
2. Chelsea Blanchard, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 5:05.2
3. Waverly Neer, Westfield 5:07.2
4. Renee Masterson, Beech Grove 5:08.5
5. Maggie Bingham, Westfield 5:09.2
6. Shelbi Burnett, Center Grove 5:09.7
7. Molly Hirt, Bloomington North 5:13.0
8. Brianna Johnson, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 5:15.5
9. Kelly McCurdy, Carmel 5:16.7
10. Breanne Ehrman, Westfield 5:18.2
11. Kaitlyn Love, Westfield 5:19.8
12. Betsy Kim, Columbus North 5:20.0
13. Sarah Higgens, Center Grove 5:24.0

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